even considering the inclusion of that word, the rest of the letter describes in too great detail the facts of.such a sojurn that it seems inevitable that the journey did happen in it's fullness for Frodo, Bilbo, Sam and Gimli.

I don't think so. The rest of the letter tries to explain what would happen to them had they reached the Undying Lands, and whether this could be reconciled to all that is known to the contrary.It shows what a powerful impact this story has upon the believing mind. Call it the Middle-earth version of speculative theology. Are the Primary World parallels less detailed or well-imagined? "In the morning Bilbo misses breakfast. – is this the most unbelievable part of this chapter?" - Elven

The weekly discussion of The Hobbit is back. Join us in the Reading Room for a somewhat less clever discussion of Queer Lodgings!